For those of you who know why this is so late if you read Walmart Romance. If you don't last Friday i was stung by a wasp and it was not until Wednesday that i could use my hand again where i was stung because it swelled up bad enough i could not use 3 fingers. Anyways here is the next chapter of the story and i hope you all enjoy. Was not a fun weekend last weekend.

Anyways you have all waited long enough so i do not own ROTG.

Chapter 10 It's A Festival

It was finally the day of the festival. The kids of the town were running around playing different games as the parents conversed with others and bought or traded goods. Jack was doing a bitter sweet job that his father did every year. He was with the kids, watching them play, and helping the younger ones. He enjoyed being with the children of the town just like his father does, so he was happy to be doing so. It was just bitter that his father was still in the war.

What made it all the better, though, was that Aster was helping him with the games. Currently, Aster was on his knees with little Sophie in front of him helping her to toss a ring at some empty bottles. Jack smiled at that, as Sophie seemed to have taken a liking to the older man with her father gone for the time being. Her and Baby Tooth where always fighting for his attention at the church when Jack was busy. Seeing the strong man being so humbled by children sent a flutter through Jack's stomach, but Jack had also found himself over the past week, on numerous occasions, getting jealous that he had to walk off and calm himself down. Jack had to remind himself that these where two little girls that didn't know the meaning of crush yet. His heart sored when he would come back and Aster would ask if he was alright. That Aster noticed he was gone.

Jack can remember a few days ago when everyone in their little group was hauling stuff up to the barn for the games, the church's donations for the drawing, and the Overland and Bennet booths in the Festival. Baby and Sophie had started running around Aster's legs begging for attention and almost knocking the larger man down multiple times as he carried boxes and bags of items. Jack giggles to himself at the memory of Aster flailing around when both the kids run up to him when he was carrying a box of Caroline's creations for the festival.

He had accidently tossed the box so he did not crush the two little girls, landed on his ass, and the contents of the box landed on him. The poor man was covered head to toe in bright colored clothes his mother had made. Jack had laughed so hard he could not breathe as Aster apologized over and over about messing up the items. Caroline had told him numerous times everything was fine while hiding her own smile behind a hand.

Thinking about that brought him back to just over a week ago in the barn when the two were alone. It really confused him that he was so comfortable with Aster over him like that and all the emotions over the week that came after or if being truthfully only to himself since the man showed up. So many emotions had been going through Jack since he meet the man; just seeing him, falling at the dinner, and the barn. The man was attractive, he could not deny that and knew it since he saw him first and Jack knew he felt a pull towards the man of interest. This was going so much farther than an interest of a new resident in town.

If he was not mistaken, he thought Aster was going to kiss him and he was not disgusted with that like he should be. He wanted Aster to kiss him and if his dreams were anything to go by, well he wanted the older man to do so much more to him. Jack had never felt like that for any girl, much less any person his age in the town.

Why did they all have to show up at that time? For the last week now I have been wondering what would have happened with just a few more moments alone with the Roo. Maybe then the dreams would not plague me so much. Jack scowls at that thought because with the other's help they were able to get done faster and within a few days. But he did not get to spend any more time alone with Aster and when done he did not see him except when they needed help. It was quite a surprise when he came to the station he volunteered for and found Aster waiting for him. Though all they got to exchange was a quick, "Hi," before the first kids arrived.

Coming back into focus of his surroundings Jack notices that Aster is looking at him with an eyebrow raised and a smirk on his face. Jack flushes darkly and turns around to some kids who were throwing some bags filled with beans into holes. He hands out a few prizes to the kids that won as they take off to show their parents or friends what they won.

It is when he feels a presence behind him that makes him tense. He does not dare turn around, but he can feel the heat coming from the body behind him. Jack's breathing becomes hard as he feels someone bend there head down closer to his ear. Their hot breath is blowing across his ear making his body shiver.

"These kids sure are having fun playing these games you got set up here, Frostbite." At the deep voice whispering in his ear Jack shivers again and a knot forms in his stomach. Jack jumps away and winces as his tight jeans, which have gotten tighter within minutes, rubs in the wrong places.

"The praise goes to my father. He started these games for the children and I am just keeping them going while he is away for a time." Jack rings his hands and looks everywhere but at Aster. From their spacious corner he can see the people milling around the festival out of ear distance so that they could have room for the games. He would not mind if they were completely alone he guesses, but so many people could see now. "So..umm… thank you, but this is all my father."

Aster smirks at Jack's nerves as he moves a little closer. Jack moves away until he bumps lightly into the table behind him holding prizes for the kids. "Jack, your father would be very proud of what you are doing." Aster moves close enough that he is not touching Jack in any way but close enough to see that Jack's breathing is shallow and his adam apple is bobbing with each hard swallow.

Licking his lips Jack gives Aster a strangled smile. "Thank you."

"Is something the matter there, Frostbite? You look a little flushed." Jack looks to the side and seeing that others are so busy with what they are doing he moves closer. He lays one hand on Jack's hip and lays a hand on his face like checking a fever. If you looked closer you would see that Aster's thumb is rubbing lightly against Jack's cheek bone.

Jack's breath catches in his throat as Aster's face moves in like the time a week ago. Jack licks his lips again to moisten them and he watches as Aster's bright green eyes follow the movement, that seem a shade darker now, but Jack must be mistaken. Aster slides his hand some down Jack's cheek and traces his thumb across Jack's lips the same way his tongue had. Jack braces his hands against the table behind him as his knees get weak and heart beating in his throat he cannot speak.

Aster suddenly pulls away with a large smile and Jack cannot force down the disappointment and anger in his chest. He shakes his head to clear it when some kids voices breaks through the fog in his head. He grins as he watches Aster bend down to talk to the kids. Before Jack can do anything he spends time pretending to organize the prizes, and pick up some tickets the children use to play games. The reason is so that he can calm his breathing and heart as well as adjust a little problem in his jeans, but thinking as well.

With what had just happened Jack had finally unscrambled his own brain, he hopes, that yes he was attracted to this man, wanted this man, wanted to get to know him, to see him at his highs and lows, make him laugh, and so much more. At least Jack believes so. Also if Jack was not mistaken it seemed to be mutual from the older man. Was this just a passing fancy for someone new in town though? What would his family think should things progress? Jack had just moved from one problem of figuring out that he was attracted to this man, right smack into another of what he is going to do.

After spending some time to calm his nerves and what Jack has figured is his hormones he walks over to where Aster is speaking to the kids and replying like what they have to say is the most important thing in the moves over bending down beside Aster to talk to the kids as well, but he sits close enough that he can bump his bent legs against Aster's. To hell with it because that is straight where I am going anyways. Two can play this game Kangaroo, is Jack's thoughts as he pays attention to the kids with a small smirk.

Aster looks to him out of the corner of his eye and grins and bumps Jack's leg back but he leaves his thick muscled thigh resting against Jack's thinner stick like legs. Jack's face heats up again at the response but grins. The two men chat with the kids in front of them, thighs touching and Jack's face a slight red many could pass off as the heat from the barn.

After listening to the chatter of the kids, Jack takes the kids tickets while Aster leads one to a game letting them play. Aster really liked helping the littler kids compared to the older ones who do not need it. Aster helped out the younger kids while Jack watched the older ones more, but since there was no one else Jack walked back over to where the kids where ring tossing. He stands beside Aster as these kids, needing little help. were old enough to be throwing it themselves.

Keeping his eyes in front of him, he slides right up beside Aster who in turn puts his hand behind Jack by laying it on the table. Jack scoots over just a little bit more where his arm is hitting Asters side and he leans in slightly. Even though it is not quite as intimate as the last two times they had been close, Jack feels comfortable like this. They just stand their comfortably as the kids try to win a prize. It makes Jack wonder what other aspects might be like with Aster. He does know that before anything happens, if it does, he will have to talk to Aster and his family. Standing there a question does come to his mind though. Why is Aster so comfortable with this so quickly? There is a lot Jack does not know about Aster, and Aster of Jack that are going to have to be established for either to go farther than-Is this flirting? Jack lets out a giggle but he tries to stifle it.

"Is something funny there Frostbite?" Aster leans down asking Jack ghosting his breath over his ear again his eyes never leaving the children in front of them. Jack tries to keep calm, even as every cell in his body tingles from just a little breath across his ear. He likes the feelings that are running through his veins and his eyes start to close when he feels strong fingers rub his lower back. He chokes trying not to let out a moan, when suddenly the fingers are gone and so is Aster's warmth. Jack thinks the kids have won or ready to play a new game so he keeps his eyes closed.

"Hello Jackson." Jacks eyes snap open and he turns quickly to the voice.

He looks behind the person to see Seraphina mouthing to Jack with an apologetic and sour face, "I'm sorry, I tried."

Jack's whole form stiffens, but not from the pleasure that Aster was sending through his veins but venom that spews out of his mouth. "What the hell do you want?"

Even as Aster moves up near Jack, but not as close as before, his form stays ridged that has Aster wondering, Who is this girl that not only wiped his smile but gave him another personality altogether?

Aster eyes both Jack and Seraphina who is giving him an apologetic look as well, but her eyes look like they are ready for murder. Then he looks to the new comer and all he wants to do is take Jack and run, especially since things were going so well. Aster stays near Jack as the girl opens her mouth again.

Well there you have it chapter 10. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. And to my reviewers it means a lot to me that you reply. Just the few i get for each chapter can have me smiling for hours. Yay, guest, THEANONADMIRAL, MyHeartDesire, and FoxStrider. Also beig thanks to help from furryfox74 for pointing out my mistakes. I just adore you people as my readers. Well until next time which i plan to be sooner than what this chapter took me,

Always your writer,

Angel Fox